Hooray! The site is officially back to normal again! :D Anyway, I digress. Just thank you all so much for your patience and continued support. I VERY much appreciate each and every one of you for taking the time to support this fanfic project of mine. Now just a few things. I know I usually update twice a week, but I have been embarking on the journey of buying my own house and that has been taking up A LOT of my time outside work so updates may just come once a week from here on out. Though if I can post twice I will definitely try to. Writing this fanfic is one of the few joys in my life right now and of course writing Aleheather content that I feel proud of fuels me even more to continue to do justice to my favorite ship and the fact you all enjoy it too makes it so much better! So thank you! :) Moving on, this chapter begins a few hours before Heather's arrival to the Burromuerto household for the weekend anniversary party. Hope you all enjoy!

(Alejandro's POV)

I just got out of the car, taking a look at the time.

Okay… there's still another 3 hours before Heather is supposed to arrive. There's still time.

I just went out to pick up something that I wanted to make sure was here prior to her arrival. I was about to go around to my trunk as I heard, "OYE! Bromigo!"

I looked over and reacted quickly as I caught the soccer ball instinctively and went wide eyed at who I saw standing and smiling in the garage.

Carlos.

He held his arms out with a slight smile as he said, "Well, is this how you decide to greet your brother after a 13 hour flight?"

I smirked as I jogged over and we both immediately went for a hug, clapping each other on the back a few times. As much as I know some people don't like to admit it… I have no problem admitting how much I miss my brother. Mainly that I miss having him around since that's the only time José usually backs down… even if only ever so slightly.

We separated as he gave me a thumbs up and said, "Muy bueno by the way on the save! Nice to see you haven't lost your touch. Maybe I should put in a good word for you to my coach. Ramos is probably getting traded so we'll need a new goalie. Particularly since it's quite an accomplishment getting a save off me."

I smirked again and commented, tossing the ball back, "Thanks, but I think I'll stick to university. Someone has to maintain the political torch in the family."

Carlos just gave me a grin and started, "Somehow I knew you were going to say that. But, nevermind that. I haven't seen you or heard much since the wedding in April. But, from what I saw just now it looks like you're back to your usual 100%. You look fantástico. Still went with the hair grown out, I see. Ma'ma still asking you to cut it?"

"Nearly every day… for the most part." I commented before we both started laughing, knowing he was right since my hair is the only thing mother wishes I'd change about my appearance after I decided to grow it out once we moved to Canada.

But, it's not going to happen.

It was bad enough that I had to grow it out again over the past 3 years after my hair got singed off, but I am not thinking about that anymore.

I decided to change the subject as I asked, "Well, anyway, what are you doing here? I thought you and Marisol weren't coming in until tonight?"

Carlos just shrugged as he passed the soccer ball back and forth between his hands and replied, smiling slightly still, "We were able to get an earlier flight. We just got here 15 minutes before you pulled up actually. I just had to stretch my legs, but Mari's been pretty tired lately. She's inside sitting with ma'ma."

I quirked up an eyebrow as I asked, "Why? Is everything?..." I was cut off and kind of surprised to see Carlos break out in a huge smile that I hadn't seen since the wedding as he held up a finger (gesturing me to wait) as he started, "Oh, sí! Although… there is a fairly interesting development as of late."

I kept giving him a look as to what he was alluding to until he pulled a glossy piece of paper out of his pocket until I realized what it was. It was an ultrasound image.

But, before I could respond Carlos clapped me on the shoulder and squeezed it as he said, "Congratulations… tío."

My eyes went wide as I tried to wrap my head around the news. Mainly that… well, I just couldn't believe it. Just the news that Carlos was going to be a father.

I grinned and handed him back the image.

"That's… wonderful. Congratulations. Seems you two didn't waste any time." I teased slightly, making Carlos chuckle as he ran a hand through his hair.

"Well considering Mari and I have known each other since we were 4, I'd like to think 22 years is more than sufficient time to get to know each other enough to decide on things. Besides we both knew we wanted to have children even before we got engaged. It was a very easy decision for us. Though we're trying to keep it relatively quiet for now. We told mother and father when they came back home a few weeks ago. That was quite a revelation for ma'ma I think." He said with a slight laugh.

"But, anyway, what about you? Anything interesting? School, chicas?..." "Yes, Al… Do tell." We both snapped our heads over to see José leaning against the frame of the garage door with a smirk plastered to his face and his arms crossed, making my whole demeanor clench about where he was going with this.

Carlos looked to José and immediately gave him a slight look with a quirked up eyebrow as he started, making me recall a substantial reason why I missed having Carlos around, "José, bromigo, I know you're a boxer... but must you always seem to be spoiling for a fight in nearly every conversation?"

Though José didn't even acknowledge it and only confirmed Carlos's statement in my opinion when he started casually stepping toward us and continuing, "Come now, hermanito. Why don't you tell Carlos about your date for mother and father's party? And perhaps how she's also more than just your date?"

My fists clenched at my sides slightly as José and I locked in a stand off of sorts with what he wanted being completely obvious as he held his smirk at me.

I could see Carlos look back at me out of the corner of my eye and say, sounding slightly playful as he progressed, "Easy, José. But, what's this now? You didn't even bring a date to my wedding so this must be serious? Care to give any details?"

I kept feeling my stomach churning as I kept glaring at José.

Ah… carajo…

Sure I knew this was inevitably going to happen but, I was hoping it would just all happen once Heather got here and just let the pieces fall where they may.

Though apparently someone had other ideas... Though it's some of his other ideas he has once someone else shows up that have me tense and uneasy.

Since I knew there was no way around this and Carlos wasn't going to relax the subject, I was stuck.

I saw José continuing to smirk slyly at me as he crossed his arms again, giving me the eye.

You'll pay for this, José… mark my words.

But, I wasn't about to give him what he wanted out of it and have him make a fool out of me. Especially trying to make a fool out of me over Heather in front of Carlos.

Instead, I straightened up and walked over to the trunk of my car and pulled out the flowers I got for Heather to put in her guest room as I started, not making a thing of it, "If you must know, Heather and I have been seeing each other for the past couple months and are now in a relationship. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have to make preparations in her guest room for when she arrives in a couple hours."

I walked past both of them, not wanting to elaborate on the subject.

Mainly because I know Carlos probably thinks I'm insane still because of my feelings for Heather. Then José… I am never going to submit to him making me look like a fool without putting up a fight.

No one makes me look like a fool and gets away with it.

({No POV})

Carlos looked at Alejandro wide eyed with the sudden news that his youngest brother said he was dating Heather.

It looked as if Carlos would have kept pondering the subject if it wasn't for hearing José chuckle slyly to himself before saying, "Well… looks like I have some 'preparations' to do myself in the next couple hours then."

Carlos gave his brother a slight look out of the corner of his eye, looking as if he was catching his meaning.

While Carlos wasn't around as often as he used to be, it didn't mean he was ignorant to what both of his younger brothers are like.

Particularly in this situation, he was very well aware of his middle brother's past track record and was aware he was still very much unchanged in his personal life if not even more so inclined after high school when it came to what he would do in his 'personal affairs'.

"José… must you always be like this?" Carlos finally directed with narrowed eyes, assuming his past role in their sibling dynamic since childhood between his younger brothers.

José gave Carlos a slight glare back as he scoffed slightly before retorting, sounding annoyed but devious, "And what's it to you, bromigo? Or are you just going to fight Al's battles for him like you always do?"

Carlos immediately sized José up slightly and directed, sounding firm and direct but well-meaning, "I'm not fighting anyone's battles, despite how you see it. Because just know if you start something on this… don't expect me to finish it for you. Or you can just save yourself the trouble and not start anything at all. If you won't take it from anyone, at least take it from me before you get in over your head on this."

Carlos then started to walk into the house as José continued to stand in the driveway with a blank look on his face.

Well, until it immediately morphed into a sly grin once again as he made his way back into the house before saying, sounding almost ominous, "We'll see about that…"

3 hours later

Gerardo walked into the hall and saw Alejandro leaning against the wall next to the window by the front door, obviously waiting for Heather's arrival.

Gerardo walked up behind his son and started, just making conversation, "Still waiting on your young lady?"

Alejandro just kept looking outside as he let out a slight sigh before saying, "Father, not that I don't appreciate the invitation you gave her, but… are you sure this is a good idea? With everyone here?"

Gerardo didn't even hesitate to respond as he put a hand on Alejandro's shoulder and said, "That's exactly the point. You know how families like ours work, hers as well. She was inevitably going to meet us eventually and I thought having the 'extra company' would make the introductions easier and allow for a smoother transition of introducing her into the situation.. Or would you have rather brought her to meet your mother and I with only José present?"

Alejandro pondered his father's explanation, looking as if he saw his father's point and Gerardo recognized that as well from his son.

Gerardo just put a hand on his son's shoulder with a smirk as he started, "Just try to relax, mijo. You aren't alone in this. I'll make sure to keep your mother civil on this score. Try not to work yourself up over nothing, sí?"

Right as Gerardo finished and gave his son a reassuring pat on the shoulder, Heather's car pulled into the driveway.

Alejandro looked back to his father as Gerardo said, "We'll leave you two be for now. Just come into the house whenever you're ready."

Alejandro nodded as he looked out the window.

Heather was looking like she was touching up her makeup in the driver's side visor mirror with her usual cool expression on her face as Alejandro smirked a little to himself.

Eventually he went outside and made his way over the car.

(Heather's POV)

Well, at least this ride up to Ottawa wasn't as much of a total shit show as the last time.

Honestly other than the 4 to 5 hour drive, it's not too bad.

Just as I was finishing up my usual look over, I jumped when I heard a rapping on the glass and looked over to see Alejandro smirking at me.

I gave him a glare as he grinned at me even more.

Ugh… does he seriously want to give me a heart attack?!

I rolled my window down as I started, "Do you take some sick pleasure in freaking me out completely unprompted?" All he was grin as he started, "Well, I wouldn't say pleasure…"

I scoffed and rolled my eyes as I started, "Whatever…"

He hardly seemed to acknowledge it though as he started in his usual suave and flirtatious manner that I both like and get completely annoyed by simultaneously, "Truth be told, I was merely waiting to ask if I could help you with your bags? Because what sort of boyfriend would I be if I didn't offer?"

An insufferable one.

Well, that's what I would have said. But instead I mumbled out, "Fine…"

I opened the trunk of my car as he went around and grabbed my suitcase. I was about to get out when he opened my door for me and helped me out before offering me his arm.

I gave him a slight look before smirking and eventually linking my arm with his.

As much as I still hate admitting it… ugh, he's good.

He walked me to the door and opened it up for us before motioning for me to walk in first. We weren't inside for 5 seconds before I heard, "Ah, so nice to see you again, señorita Wilson."

I looked over and saw Alejandro's father standing there, and also still kind of freaking me out by how weirdly similar he and Alejandro look.

Especially now that I was seeing them side by side… yeah, this isn't weird at all.

I would have paid more attention to it if it wasn't for seeing 'who else was present'.

Standing next to Alejandro's father was an extremely attractive woman who I had only seen in pictures until now. Alejandro's mother. I was trying to figure her out, but I could see her almost doing exactly the same to me. She practically looking me up and down, almost like she was trying to study me.

But, I maintained my front with her too until I heard Alejandro's dad cut in with, "Well, welcome to our home. I hope your drive wasn't too troublesome?"

I tried to maintain my usual look, even though I could feel Alejandro's mom's eyes practically locked on me.

But, I was not going to let that get to me. If she thinks she's the first person to ever give me the 'stink eye'... Oh, she has got another thing coming.

I just shrugged and replied, "I've had worse drives."

Alejandro's dad just smirked as he started, "Splendid… Oh, absolutely. I think some introductions are in order. Allow me to introduce my lovely wife. Elena Ledvora Ortiz de Burromuerto."

It was dead silent as me and his mother kept practically staring each other down.

A few more seconds of silence passed as she gave me a look and said shortly, "You may call me 'señora'."

Okay… I see how it's gonna be.

I didn't give her an inch as I just replied just as shortly, "Fine."

After that his mother immediately turned on her heels after giving me one last glare and then walked off. I was about to make a comment when his father said, "How about we leave you to get settled? I'm sure you'll want to take some time to get your things organized. We'll be waiting in the living room for whenever you're ready to join us. Now if you'll pardon my leave."

I almost completely forgot Alejandro was there until he put a hand on my shoulder and started, trying to talk his way around this, "Don't mind, mother. She just needs time to…" "Please… You're acting like this is the first time anyone's ever hated me. And whatever. Like I even care? I don't need the whole damn world to be besties with me. I never have. If your mom doesn't like me, that's her problem." I cut in, meaning everything I said.

Because what? It's true.

I've never relied much on making people like me. And I still don't need to now.

If his mom hates me… so be it. It's not even worth wasting my time over.

I have bigger fish to fry than to suck up to someone's parents, whether they are Alejandro's or not.

({No POV})

After that Heather took her suitcase and went down the hall without another word, knowing which room she was most likely going to be in for the next 3 days.

Meanwhile Alejandro just watched on with his arms behind his back and a pensive yet also dissatisfied expression on his face after the recent interaction.

After all, he knew this was most likely going to happen but that didn't mean he was pleased with it. His father did keep his promise to make sure his mother was at least civil, but he knew better than anyone how much his mother loathed Heather.

Sure it wasn't going to change his feelings or his want to pursue Heather further, but… that didn't mean he still wasn't disappointed in a way.

But, like his father already sort of pointed out to him prior.

He was dealt a difficult hand when he fell for Heather and he knew what he was in for when it came to accepting the fact that he loved her and wanted to be with her.

In short, Alejandro knew there was nothing else he could do on this score. He just had to deal with the hand he was dealt.

And honestly from his perspective… it could've been worse.

15 minutes later

Heather was able to get all her things organized for the time being and went to use the bathroom before joining the situation in the living room.

She just finished washing her hands and opened the door to leave the bathroom, still retaining her usual cold and slightly unreadable expression. Just as Heather opened the door, she immediately went wide eyed for a second at what, or more accurately who, was in her path.

Leaning on the doorframe on his left forearm and a cocky, devious, yet somehow flirtatious grin on his face was none other than Alejandro's 2nd oldest brother.

José.

José kept up his grin as he kept his eyes fixated on Heather, looking as if he was definitely checking her out, as he looked her up and down slightly.

As a result, Heather internally rolled her eyes and got an annoyed look on her face.

José hardly seemed to care as he started smoothly yet simply, "Hola."

This time Heather outwardly rolled her eyes in annoyance and completely blanked him, not even caring to acknowledge his existence.

She tried to side step him only to have him immediately get in her way as he started, "Oh, how thoughtless of me to not introduce myself. You are Al's girlfriend after all. José Burromuerto Ledvora."

Heather's eyes went wide as he grabbed her hand and kissed the back of it, only for Heather to immediately yank it away as she started, sounding extremely sarcastic and snarky, "And thanks for putting your disgusting lips on my hand after I just washed it… Bravo."

Heather tried to get around him again, only for José to keep blocking her off. Heather's annoyance looked like it was peaking as she directed in her usually brash tone, "Do you enjoy being an annoying human traffic cone? Or can you just cut the crap and get the hell out of my way already?"

José only chuckled in amusement as he said, "Oh, you really are feisty? I like feisty. It makes things more… interesting."

Heather completely saw through his vague 'flirtatious comment' as she rolled her eyes and scoffed, "As if…"

She again tried to get around José only for him to wrap one arm around her waist and turn both of them until he had her between him and the wall opposite the bathroom as he started, his tone still deviously and almost playfully seductive at this point, "Now, there's no need to be like that. Especially since I think a woman as attractive as you is completely wasting your time on someone as pathetic as my brother."

Although internally done with José hitting on her, Heather looked as if she was thinking.

"Really?" She started, baiting José to continue.

José looked as if he took it and grinned as he continued, "I guarantee… I have always been better than Al at everything. Grades, athletics… among other things."

He chuckled a little as he continued to close the distance between himself and Heather before elaborating, "Perhaps you'd want to experience a demonstration of what I can do better than my little brother? Particularly how I can satisfy you more. What do you say, chica?"

Then José had to fight back a slightly shocked look as Heather rest both of her hands on his chest and slowly slid them in a teasing fashion up to his shoulders.

José saw a smirk take over Heather's expression as she lingered on, her tone completely teasing, "Really? You want to know what I really want?..."

José looked on the cusp of a satisfied smirk until his expression immediately contorted in pain as Heather used her leverage on his shoulders to drive here knee hard directly into his groin, making José fall to the ground holding himself on contact.

Then he had no other time to process what happened as Heather gripped her hand into his hair and lifted up his head to face her as she threatened, narrowing her eyes at José in an intense death glare, "How about you and your stupid, over gelled 90's Frontage Road Guys boyband haircut get bent and kiss my ass? And if you ever come on to me again, I swear I will do worse to your balls than just kick them. Got it?"

José just gave her a look of disbelief mixed with mildly terrified shock at what just happened.

Heather looked as if she was relaxing her grip on José's hair, only to reaffirm it.

José was face to face with Heather again, but this time was confused by the smirk on her face as she continued, "And fyi, and not that I'd ever say this to anyone but you since I know Alejandro wouldn't believe it coming from you for a damn second and you wouldn't even dare to say it, but trust me... your brother 'satisfies me' plenty."

José gave her a look that seemed to be a concoction of shock, confusion, and slight fear… then also overlayered with a coat of being completely pissed off.

Then the feeling of pissed off anger seemed to take over as Heather practically threw his head down to the floor by his hair before digging her heel of her boot into the back of his hand that was currently resting on the floor as he let out a slight yelp.

Heather proceeded to walk away as José started to mumble a mixture of both English and Spanish swear words directed at her as she just smirked in absolute satisfaction at her handiwork on how she handled the situation.

But, unbeknownst to both José and Heather, down the opposing hallway, Gerardo was standing there after listening in on the entire exchange that just occurred between them.

An intrigued look seemed to be taking over his face and smirked as he saw his middle son slowly but surely picking himself up from the floor and still looking the epitome of displeased and angry.

Though now that he was alone also had a rare look of almost… embarrassment at the fact that he pretty much just had his rights written to him by his younger brother's girlfriend, who he now realized was just as unpredictably sadistic as she was on TV.

Well, well… Looks like José found out the hard way what happened when you decide to mess with Heather. And Heather admitted more of her feelings about Alejandro... to an extent. Lol. ;) Like I said back in "Propositions and Conniptions", I really wanted to create a personality for each of the 'Burromuerto hermanos' that to me would have made sense. Alejandro is a silver tongued manipulator, José is a total douchebag who gets off on his younger brother's misery, and then we get to Carlos. Now all we ever got on Carlos in TDWT was when Alejandro referenced him as being a professional soccer player and implying that Carlos taught him to play soccer. And that gave me an idea. Rather than making Carlos twisted like his brothers, I thought of Carlos as being just a nice guy and a good big brother who acted almost as the 'peacekeeper' between his younger brothers. Sure while I will concede Carlos is just a conceited and full of himself in his talents as Alejandro and José, that still doesn't mean you can't be a nice person just because you're full of yourself. Also, I decided to make Carlos and his wife Marisol the VERY rare relationship of being childhood friends and sweethearts because why not? It's different and sweet. But, let's just say Elena and Gerardo have differing opinions about their relationship as well. More on that later... Haha. ;) But, anyway, I hope you enjoyed José's failed play for Heather. As well as the incredibly awkward and tense 'meet the parents' moment. Lol. XD But, this is just the beginning. Though I'll leave all the final judgements up to you guys on what you all thought of the chapter. Anyway, thanks for reading and constructive reviews are always appreciated.

Hope you are all staying safe and healthy out there!

Dexter1995